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Term of office: Two years


Salary: $76,163


Incumbent: Grell is seeking his third term.

By Kelly Wilson, Sentinel Reporter

Last updated: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 12:04 PM EDT

The contest for the 87th district seat in the state House took an unexpected turn when Democratic nominee Christina Loy dropped out of the race in July.

Loy could not be reached to comment.

The Cumberland County Democratic Committee replaced her on the ballot with Committeeman Donald Steinmeier from Hampden Township.

He’s up against incumbent Rep. Glen Grell, the Republican candidate who was elected to office in 2004.

Steinmeier

“The committee asked me and I said I’d fill the spot,” Steinmeier said. “They nominated me through the proper channels.”

This is his first year representing Hampden Township on the county committee.

Besides his position on the committee, Steinmeier works as an agent for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades and he said the full-time job has left little time for campaign work.

He has also acknowledged in past interviews that not appearing on the primary ballot could hurt his name recognition.

Still, Steinmeier said he is optimistic about the race.

The Democratic Party has seen a lot of new registrants ahead of November’s election, he said, many of them having switched over from the Republican and other parties.

Grell

If he wins a third term in the state House, Grell wants to continue working on state government reform issues like lobbying and campaign finance disclosure, committee term limits, and redistricting rules.

Much of the success of that depends on the Republican’s re-appointment to the State Government Committee, where he said such issues are discussed.

Those efforts would also benefit from the GOP edging out Democrats for majority rule in the House, power the Democrats have held since the 2006 elections.

The House majority leader sets the calendar for bills to be voted on, Grell said, and it’s an important job.

Setting the agenda may seem inconsequential, but Grell said that in past sessions, disagreements with the majority have meant missing important votes.

Like Steinmeier, Grell’s time is constrained a bit by a full-time job. But until Nov. 4, he said, he’ll be spending what time he can on his campaign.

“I do the same thing I always do: knocking on doors and talking to people,” Grell said.

The party needs supporters to get out and vote on Election Day, he said, and he sees no reason to think they won’t come through.

“I think we’ve done a pretty good job and I get good feedback from my constituents,” Grell said. “I have a good feeling about the outcome.”